Countywide Mortgage Update – Higher Mortgage Rates and Lower Loan Amounts Coming Soon?
Posted by Paul Gonzales | Leave A Comment »
HEADS UP! The cost of real estate financing may be going up, and the size of cheaper loans may be going down – all very shortly! Since I last reported on this in April, the Federal government has done nothing to change either of these two prospects.
Higher Rates
On June 30th the Federal Reserve is scheduled to end its subsidy of interest rates including mortgages, by terminating its purchase of U.S. Treasuries. While arguments abound about whether this program, known as “Quantitative Easing” or “QE2” has helped or hurt the economy, many analysts are concerned that the ending of this program could put upward pressure on interest rates, particularly mortgage loans.
More Costly Loans
The current “jumbo” or high-balance loan limits for both conventional (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) and FHA loans are scheduled to be rolled-back to considerably lower loan amounts on October 1st. The Obama Administration has signaled that it does not intend to press Congress to extend the current (higher) loan amounts beyond that date. This may not be an issue in the Midwest but could impact real estate markets such as Southern California. In San Diego County that will likely mean the maximum conventional and FHA loan limits could drop from $697,500 to below $600,000 depending on what formula HUD uses to compute the new lower limits. Loan amounts above the new limits will fall into the more expensive, higher interest rate and tighter underwriting rules for true jumbo loans.
Home Buyer or Home Seller?
For either party with an interest in real estate today, these two events should prompt urgency in buying or selling that home. Whether you are shopping for or looking to sell that home, you may be well served by being proactive and getting ‘er done. Contact your Real Living Lifestyles agent today, get the facts and get moving now!
For more information – Paul Gonzales, Countywide Mortgage Lending (760) 746-7388 paulforloans@aol.com, CA-DOC290493
Related Posts: Area Information, Buyers, Coastal Living, CW Mortgage, Escondido, Home Loans, homes for sale, Interest Rates, Investment Properties, Lifestyle, Mortgage News, Real Estate News, Real Living, Real Living Lifestyles, San Diego
The Federal Government: Lender-in-Fact
Posted by Paul Gonzales | Currently 1 Comment »
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHA accounted for 96.5% of all home loans originated in the first quarter of this year as reported in the Wall Street Journal. That, folks, leaves only 3.5% of real estate loans originated by a non-government body (for the record, Fannie and Freddie are under Federal conservatorship and FHA doesn’t lend, but insures home loans). To put this in perspective, rewind back to the first quarter of 2006 when roughly 60% of real estate loans were originated by this same group – and Fannie / Freddie were not directly government owned/controlled, and FHA accounted for only about 3% of the action.
Some thoughts on this -
- as the whale in the mortgage market pond, the Federal Government will continue to be the dominate force in real estate finance, and hence in the recovery of the real estate market, for a long time to come
- the capital markets that constituted 40% of real estate financing just four years ago are now going through major regulatory changes that will have a huge impact on how or when that market may actually return to take back a share of the business
- Love it or hate it, the Government’s role in the real estate recovery will be key in defining that recovery
It will be a while before we return to “normal”….
Paul Gonzales, Manager, Countywide Mortgage (760) 746-7388 or paulforloans@aol.com
Related Posts: CW Mortgage, Financial news, Home Loans, Mortgage News, Real Estate News, San Diego
FHA Purchase: After 90 Days But Before 180 Days
Posted by Kevin Kueneke | Leave A Comment »
We have discussed FHA’s 90-day “anti-flip” policy a lot these days. Basically, a buyer will be unable to obtain FHA insured financing if the subject property has been owned by the seller for less than 90 days, with some exceptions.
But did you know that FHA is still concerned from day 91 to day 180? If the new purchase price is 100% or more than the price paid by the seller and the seller purchased the property within the past 91 to 180 days, the lender will be required to obtain a second appraisal by another appraiser.
Even though this rule has been in effect since June of 2006, it has only recently been an issue due to all of the properties purchased on the court house steps.
Even if the seller can provide documentation showing the costs and extent of rehabilitation that went into the property resulting in the increased value, a second appraisal will still be required. Also, the cost of the second appraisal may not be charged to the home buyer.
Bottom line: check the transaction/price history. A second appraisal could add additional time to your escrow, unless you plan accordingly.
Should you have questions regarding this article or any other mortgage related topic, please call me at (760) 500-1919 or email me: Kevin@MyCWMtg.com
Related Posts: Buyers, CW Mortgage, Home Loans, Homeowners, Mortgage News
Getting a Loan Could Soon Prove More Difficult
Posted by Rachel LaMar, J.D. | Leave A Comment »
The FHA is looking into making some changes in how they approve insurance policies on home loans, and this may make it harder for borrowers to obtain loans in the future. If you are looking to purchase there is no time like the present.
There are four main components to the proposed changes, including raising minimum down payments and limiting seller contributions to buyer closing costs. To read more please visit http://www.rachellamarrealestate.com/blog/?p=216.
Related Posts: Buyers, Home Loans, Mortgage News, rachel lamar
FHA Loans – Down Payment, Reserves and Mortgage Insurance
Posted by Paul Gonzales | Currently 1 Comment »
This is the fourth and final post in a series that deals with important aspects of FHA financing.
- The first post provided an overview of the program.
- The second post detailed FHA credit requirements
- The third post discussed the income and employment requirements.
- This post will discuss the down payment and asset requirements necessary to obtain an FHA home loan.
Minimum Down Payment
In today’s challenging market, this is probably the most attractive feature of the FHA home loan – the minimal down payment requirement. For years the minimum requirement has been 3% of the purchase price. Effective January 1, 2009 this will increase to 3.5%, still a great deal especially for first-time homebuyers. This benefit is enhanced further by the flexibility allowed for the source of those down payment funds, as discussed below:
Reserve Requirements
Reserves are funds that a buyer has “left over” after purchasing the home. Most conventional home loans require enough reserve funds to cover at least two months of mortgage payments including property taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance and home owner’s association (HOA) dues if required.
FHA financing does not have a reserve requirement if purchasing a 1 or 2 family property (a 3 or 4 family property requires at least three months of reserve funds).
Acceptable Sources of Funds
- Borrower’s depository funds – Funds owned by the Borrower in bank accounts, stocks and bonds, Certificates of deposit, retirement accounts such as 401k plans
- Gift funds – Can come from a wide variety of sources, including family members, a close friend with established close ties to the borrower, an employer or labor union, charitable or non-profit organization, government agency or a public entity such as a city through a homebuyer’s assistance program. A couple important caveats: the gift funds must be thoroughly documented and provide a clear paper trail. Depending upon the source of the gift funds, such documentation will include a detailed “gift letter”, copies of cancelled checks and bank withdrawal slips or evidence of bank wire transfer. There must be reasonable evidence that the qualified donor has the financial ability to give the gift. As of October 1st, 2008, funds from certain non-profit organizations which are matched by donations from the home seller can no longer be gifted to the buyer
- Sale of existing home – proceeds from the sale of an existing home may be used to purchase a new home with FHA financing
- Sale of personal property – the sale of a car or other personal property is acceptable as long as the funds can be paper trailed to the sale
- Cash or “mattress money” – this requires a written explanation describing the source of the cash, how it was accumulated and how long it took to accumulate. Such cash accumulation must make sense for the borrower, such as not having a checking or savings account or credit accounts.
- Commission from sale of property – acceptable if the borrower/buyer is a licensed real estate agent and entitled to a commission from the sale
Mortgage Insurance
A lesser appreciated, but very vital benefit of FHA financing, has to do with mortgage insurance, or MI. Until recently, it was generally easy to avoid having to pay for mortgage insurance when purchasing a home with less than 20% down payment. This was accomplished by getting a second mortgage to “piggy back” with an 80% first mortgage. Thus a qualified buyer could buy a home with little or no money down by obtaining two mortgages. In the reality of today’s markets such second mortgages are all but non-existant or exorbitantly priced.
The only remaining option for a homebuyer with less than 20% for a down payment is to pay for mortgage insurance. In certain areas such as California, most companies that provide such insurance have limited the maximum coverage to 90% (or less) of the purchase price. In addition, they have tightened their underwriting guidelines and it is indeed more difficult to actually qualify for the insurance.
Enter the FHA home loan. It is generally considered easier to qualify for MI under the FHA and it will go to 96.5% of the purchase price. In short there is a significant portion of the home-buying population who have no other option than FHA financing just for these two reasons alone.
In a Nutshell…
FHA financing may not necessarily be the best fit for everyone in the home-buying market. However, these hallmark features of the FHA home loan – minimal down payment and reserve requirements, flexible sources of funds and availability of mortgage insurance – are far and away the primary reasons that many home buyers, particularly younger first-time home buyers, seek FHA financing. It’s clear to see why.
Special Note: Pursuant to recent legislation addressing current housing issues, various departments of the Federal government are working on implementing new programs and expanding the role of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) in dealing with these issues. As these programs are actually implemented and become available to consumers, look to PicturePefectSanDiego.com for new posts describing them in detail.
Read more articles and valuable tips about financing by Paul Gonzales
You can contact Paul at (800) 775-7334 or paulforloans@aol.com
Related Posts: CW Mortgage, Financial news, Home Loans, Homeowners, Interest Rates, Mortgage News
